extortionary
Americanadjective
Usage
What does extortionary mean? Extortionary is an adjective used to describe things involving extortion—the act of using violence, threats, intimidation, or pressure from one’s authority to force someone to hand over money (or something else of value) or do something they don’t want to do. Extortion and the verb extort are commonly used in this literal sense, but they can also be used in a few more general or figurative ways. Extortion can refer to the practice of overcharging someone for something or to obtaining something through relentless and unreasonable demands. These senses liken such actions to the actual crime of extortion. Extortionary can be used to describe things that involve all of these senses of extortion. It can be used to describe practices that involve or resemble extortion or people or organizations that engage in extortion. The similar adjective extortionate is most often applied to people or organizations that use extortion. A person who engages in extortion can be called an extortionist or an extortioner. Example: These extortionary business practices seem like they were modeled on the mafia.
Etymology
Origin of extortionary
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But Musk’s vision of a paid product resembles payola—something utterly extortionary.
From Slate • Oct. 19, 2023
“These untrue allegations are a sad way to discredit our brand & business practices for sensational news and extortionary financial gain.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2022
Ms. Keller wasn’t criticizing her former employer, but rather lamenting the fact that lawmakers and law enforcement authorities have largely ignored the slander industry and its extortionary practices, leaving Google to clean up the mess.
From New York Times • Jun. 10, 2021
“That’s an extortive and extortionary relationship,” Hubbard says, “not a healthy marketplace.”
From Washington Post • Nov. 25, 2020
"This will not be considered to be an extortionary offer," Bennett said, according to The Advocate.
From Fox News • Nov. 11, 2019
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
